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Success Stories w/ Low back issues?

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Success Stories w/ Low back issues?

Old 06-17-19, 08:03 PM
  #26  
tonibat
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Not everyone is susceptible to these issues I mentioned. Basically you must consider the age of the rider. For ppl about 40 and older, intervertebral discs (as well as knees’ inner cartilages, called meniscii) very often have some degree of degenerative downgrading. These are the ones that can suffer agravating symptoms from high prssure loads. The fact that youngsters never recall any problems there does not disprove it.
As for my background, yes, I’m older than 40. With 30+ years in medical practice and regular user of recumbents, for many years to come. I hope!

And yes, I’m aware that this is unreported in the media. But then, all about recumbents is pretty much ignored isnt’t it. That’s why I made the advise.

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Old 08-21-19, 09:16 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Skankingbiker
Just got some bad health news----I have 2 disc bulges in my low back that are hitting nerve roots and doc said not to ride upright bike anymore. He said a recumbent "may or may not" work depending on positioning. I am awaiting delivery of my first recumbent (performance high racer) with nothing but hope that it will work out. I am looking for success stories from others w/ disc protrusions who have been able to continue cycling with recumbents. I am only 40 and the prospect of not being able to do my main form of exercise and recreation is very depressing.
As others have said, get a second, or even third opinion. Then get some proper, good physical therapy. I had two disks, L4 and L5, explode (not herniate, they blew up) when I was thirty, before there was physical therapy. It took me ten years of hell to recover, but once I got good physical therapy, the difference was astonishing. That should be your top priority.

I agree that you should have gotten a lower end bike to start. I started with a Sun Tour Easy, then a Sun CZX, and now ride a Lightning Cycle Dynamics P-38. Proper bike fit is CRITICAL! I have, and will have, chronic pain for the rest of my life, but riding a properly fit recumbent does more to help my back pain than anything else, bar drugs (a lousy option, in my expert opinion, based on 48+ years of experience with lower back disasters.)
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Old 08-21-19, 10:43 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by tonibat
Not everyone is susceptible to these issues I mentioned. Basically you must consider the age of the rider. For ppl about 40 and older, intervertebral discs (as well as knees’ inner cartilages, called meniscii) very often have some degree of degenerative downgrading. These are the ones that can suffer agravating symptoms from high prssure loads. The fact that youngsters never recall any problems there does not disprove it.
As for my background, yes, I’m older than 40. With 30+ years in medical practice and regular user of recumbents, for many years to come. I hope!

And yes, I’m aware that this is unreported in the media. But then, all about recumbents is pretty much ignored isnt’t it. That’s why I made the advise.
Tonibat, your profile is pretty threadbare. How much recumbent experience do you have?
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Old 08-26-19, 11:53 AM
  #29  
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Just a quick update. After 6 months of prolotherapy, yoga, and stretching exercises, my low back pain has generally improved. It took a while to dial in, but I love my set up on my recumbent now. On many days I can ride without any added lumbar support and riding the bent actually is therapeutic when my back goes out....[my pet theory is that by elevating my feet and putting the weight on my shoulders, I relieve the spinal compression causing the nerve pain, which allows my muscles to relax and spinning at a high cadence works out the muscle spasms].

I have even been able to ride an upright bike this year ---albeit I have had to dramatically change my riding posture and technique---more upright, no mashing...no "pulling" up hills with my hamstrings (which aggravate my low back)
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Old 08-26-19, 12:52 PM
  #30  
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Spinal columns are "notional" and nerves even more so. Nerves also have long memories, once irritated, it is easier for them to get irritated again. Whatever you do, keep up with the yoga and stretching exercises, especially the hamstrings. Those were what really "turned the corner" for me. When people ask me "what faith are you?" I tell them "back exercises"—and I'm at my "devotions" every day.
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Old 08-30-19, 09:01 AM
  #31  
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I bought a good hardwood broom stick and use it to give my back tune ups regularly. It was $35.00 and works really well. You can roll it up and down your lower and mid back and your neck. Hold it behind your back, hooked in your elbows, and you can get it between vertebrae and gently sway it from side to side which rotates the vertebrae.Roll it up & down your middle back when it's hooked in your elbows.

With one hand holding it over your shoulder and the other hand holding it behind your lower back, you can rock it back and forth and jostle your upper back vertebra around. On your neck, roll it up and down, sway it side to side and work the muscles on the side of your spine with it. A good tune up takes less than ten minutes. It's my home chiropractor. Don't be too surprised by all the snap, crackle & pop you'll hear when doing it.

The best part is that you can feel what is going on and adjust the pressure as needed. It's the best healthcare bargain I ever got. Start gently, get the hang of it, and given your actual medical problem, check with your doctor first. Yeah, it sounds hokey, but wow, does it ever work well. bk
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Old 02-29-20, 08:49 PM
  #32  
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Does anyone have any other ideas?
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Old 02-29-20, 08:51 PM
  #33  
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Should I get a checkup regularly?
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Old 03-02-20, 12:26 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by henrry
Should I get a checkup regularly?
So they say. Millions of course cannot afford to do that. Is there a specific problem you want to discuss? It might be time to start a new thread. Just saying ...
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Old 03-02-20, 06:05 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Skankingbiker
Based on others' similar conversions (detailed on bentrrider), the smaller wheels spread out the wheelbase and make the handling more stable. It also adds more weight to the front, which is good for the FWD on hills..
Just to address this, which i didn't do before:
The wheelbase is set by the frame. For a large rear wheel, the frame must use longer stays, which increases bike length and wheelbase. If the frame is disc-capable, you can put a small wheel on such a frame, but it doesn't change the wheelbase. Smaller front wheels are usually done for one of two reasons: 1. keep the height of the front end a little lower, and 2. if it's a short wheelbase bike, then there's less wheel to reach past to the pedals. So, for a given frame, wheel size make no difference in wheelbase. And if the frame is designed for small wheels, it will have a shorter wheelbase, not longer.
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